Resilience
by Fran Turner
resilience the action or act of springing back; elasticity the amount of energy per unit volume that a material absorbs when subjected to strain, or the maximum value of this when the elastic limit is not exceeded; the ability to recover readily from, or resist being affected by, a setback, illness, etc.
Resilience is one of my favourite words. The above definition is from the wonderful New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary that I received from the dojo as a gift a couple of Christmases ago. The elements of resilience that attract me are flexibility and power, qualities that aikido training fosters.
There are different kinds of flexibility. In warm-ups, we use stretches to enhance the range of motion by using fairly static postures. With my background in dance, I understand stretching as a means to improve body movement through making the full length of the spine accessible in action. This spinal flexibility is important to both uke and nage.
Working with a partner is challenging because, along with the movement of the spine, flexibility in aikido requires ease of breathing, muscle tone that is neither rigid nor limp, and connection with the attack. In complex or subtle movements it is almost impossible to keep track of all these aspects. For this reason, a student needs regular and consistent practice to coordinate breath, muscle tone, and connection, not to mention mastering the mechanics of the various techniques.
Flexibility of mind is a critical component of aikido. Practicing with an open heart, students are less likely to hold rigidly onto mental stances that obstruct their own or their partners' movement, physical or otherwise. Once again, it is frequent and consistent practice that develops the concentration for a flexible mind. Yasutani Roshi, a Zen master, referred to this power of concentration as joriki--"a dynamic power that enables us even in the most sudden and unexpected situations to act instantly, without pausing to collect our wits, and in a manner wholly appropriate to the circumstances."
Power in aikido comes from the cultivation of ki and arises when mind and body are unified, one-pointed. One needn't become preoccupied with developing ki, since it naturally occurs through extension, from moving out from the centre and as a result of hours, weeks, and years of practice. Ki gives solidity and centredness; together with flexibility it creates resilience.
Training demands resilience. If you can t get it, whether "it" is a technique, part of a technique, or taking ukemi, just spring back and try it again and again. Ukemi is marvellous experience in resilience: the act of elastic recovery, getting up, starting fresh. Recovering from the inertia or plateaus that occur in daily practice is also resiliency. Resilience developed on the mat benefits us off the mat in the difficult situations we encounter with loved ones or the not-so-loved ones, in bouncing back from failure, or in moving through the numerous daily stresses and strains.
When I think of resiliency, well-forged swords and toddlers exploring their environment come to mind--swords with their tensile strength, little kids with their innate, unsquelched enthusiasm and open minds. How to be sharp as a sword, bouncy as a toddler? Practice, practice, practice.
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